Fluorescent-Wax Emulsion For Pigment Ink Detection

Abstract

A pigment ink formulation containing a fluorescing material and a method for pigment ink detection are disclosed. Preferably, the fluorescent material is contained in a fluorescent-wax emulsion. The fluorescent-wax emulsion is added into the pigment inks. A detecting unit comprised of an UV LED and a sensor can then be used to detect the fluorescent emission from the pigment inks. The detecting unit can detect all three color inks. The differences in signal detection can be used for ink identification.

1 . An aqueous inkjet ink for inkjet printers comprising a color pigment, a UV fluorescing material, and an aqueous carrier. 
   
   
       2 . The aqueous inkjet ink of  claim 1  wherein the fluorescing material comprises from about 0.01% to about 2.0% of the aqueous inkjet ink. 
   
   
       3 . The aqueous inkjet ink of  claim 2  wherein said UV fluorescing material is a dye or pigment. 
   
   
       4 . The aqueous inkjet ink of  claim 3  wherein said UV fluorescing material is a dye. 
   
   
       5 . The aqueous inkjet ink of  claim 4  wherein said dye comprises from about 0.05% to about 1.0% of the aqueous inkjet ink. 
   
   
       6 . The aqueous inkjet ink of  claim 2  wherein said UV fluorescing material can absorb light from a UV LED in the wavelengths between 250 nm to about 400 nm and emit in the visible range between about 500 nm to about 700 nm. 
   
   
       7 . The aqueous inkjet ink of  claim 3  wherein said UV fluorescing material can absorb light from a UV LED in the wavelengths between about 250 nm to about 400 nm and emit in the visible range between about 500 nm to about 700 nm. 
   
   
       8 . The aqueous inkjet ink of  claim 1  wherein said UV fluorescing material is added to the ink in the form of a wax emulsion. 
   
   
       9 . The aqueous inkjet ink of  claim 8  wherein said wax emulsion comprises the UV fluorescing material, a wax, and a surfactant or dispersant. 
   
   
       10 . The aqueous inkjet ink of  claim 9  wherein said wax emulsion is formed by dissolving or dispersing the fluorescent material into the wax, followed by emulsification of the wax-fluorescent solution or dispersion in a water solution comprising the surfactant or the dispersant. 
   
   
       11 . The aqueous inkjet ink of  claim 9  wherein the fluorescing material comprises from about 0.01% to about 2.0% of the aqueous inkjet ink. 
   
   
       12 . The aqueous inkjet ink of  claim 11  wherein said UV fluorescing material can absorb light from a UV LED in the wavelengths between 250 nm to about 400 nm and emit in the visible range between about 500 nm to about 700 nm. 
   
   
       13 . The aqueous inkjet ink of  claim 12  wherein said UV fluorescing material is a dye or pigment. 
   
   
       14 . The aqueous inkjet ink of  claim 13  wherein said UV fluorescing material is a dye.